Pre-monsoon rain: a mixed bag for farmers

The pre-monsoon showers in several districts of Karnataka has brought cheers to some farmers and tears to several others.

Sowing operations have picked up in Bellary district.

It’s a mixed bag for farmers as pre-monsoon showers are lashing many districts of Karnataka.

In south Karnataka, sowing began on a positive note this kharif season on account of premonsoon showers. As of May 15, sowing was completed in 1.25 lakh hectares as against the normal coverage of 80,000 hectares.

Farmers have sown tobacco, cotton, jowar, and pulses in Mysuru, Chamarajanagar, Mandya, Hassan, and Tumakuru districts.In contrast, farmers of north Karnataka districts suffered crop damage. Paddy crop on 95,000 hectares was damaged in eight districts of Koppal, Ballari, Raichur, Yadgir, Kalaburagi, Bidar, Vijayapura and Gadag.

The State released Rs. 218 crore to provide compensation to farmers. The loss has been estimated at Rs. 600 crore.

Sowing has not commenced in north Karnataka districts.

About 73 lakh hectares is being targeted for coverage this kharif season.

The State has set an ambitious target of producing 140 lakh tonnes of foodgrains during three crop seasons of 2015-16. Foodgrains production target had been set at 98 lakh tonnes during the kharif, which accounted for over 70 per cent of the annual production.

The State has asked the Centre to ensure supply of 21.5 lakh tonnes of nutrients during the season.

Steps have been taken to procure 10.75 lakh quintals of seeds of different crops. About 4.75 lakh quintals of seeds would be distributed during monsoon and farmers with two acres of land or less get them at subsidised rates.